Editing this wiki

All with an opinion are encouraged to add it to this wiki. Options should be prefaced with your name:

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Background

The international FOSS4G conference has grown from 100-200 attendees when it started 10+ years ago, to ~ 800 attendees now in 2014. Some regional events are also attracting large numbers. Extra attendance leads to extra effort required to coordinate, leading the OSGeo Community to consider options on how to move forward.

Options

Following are options which have been identified.

Same as before

For a number of years, the large FOSS4G events have hired a new Professional Conference Organiser (PCO). This PCO is usually local and knows the city where the event is being held.

Disadvantages

Loss of knowledge between events and associated risk of failure.

Significant stress put on LOCs.

Advantages

Minimal effort to set up.

A local PCO likely has local experience.

Votes/Comments

-0 CameronShorter

Engage an independent long term PCO

Disadvantages

How would a OSGeo exit out of the arrangement with the PCO if the relationship sours?

Advantages

Institutional knowledge. The conference knowledge carries on in the organisation, and is hopefully not entirely imbued in one person.

Simplicity.

Votes/Comments

0 CameronShorter. I'm nervous about an exit strategy if things go sour. It is in the vested interests of a PCO not to share information with community, such that we become reliant upon the PCO.

Comments by Jeff McKenna: I proposed this option formally to the OSGeo Board in 2011. A full job description and rates are outlined on the wiki page: FOSS4G Advisor Role

Hire a staff person to be the organiser

This is more risk, but also offers more potential.

Advantages:

Having a staff person allows OSGeo to be more flexible in organising conferences. Is there a budding regional conference that needs some assistance? We can help with that. Would OSGeo like to foster growth in regions without a local FOSS4G event? OSGeo can do that.

Disadvantages

You would only have one staff person, which means more risk of losing institutional knowledge if that person leaves.

Potential for being seen as less of a a volunteer led organisation.

Hiring is hard, and takes time, especially to find a good autonomous person to take on this role

Votes/Comments

+0 CameronShorter

Partner with LocationTech

Advantages

LocationTech works in the same space, has contacts, and the Eclipse Foundation already runs conferences

Retention of knowledge between regions

Potential for future, deepened partnerships

Disadvantages

LocationTech works in the same space, has contacts, and the Eclipse Foundation already runs conferences, so there’s a potential for conflicts of interest

If it doesn’t work out for whatever reason, future partnership opportunities might be lost